As part of our 80s celebrations, we're reproducing the 1984-85 chapter from the Darlo's Going Up book, which was published four years ago.

In this part, we look at the opening games of that promotion season, which started with the controversial departure of record goalscorer Alan Walsh -- a story which Alan spoke out earlier in 80s week here:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/alan-walsh-3-the-tribunal

Just like the previous successful promotion season in 1965-66, Darlo didn’t stand out as promotion candidates on paper when the 1984-85 season kicked off.

Quakers had finished in 14th place in the Fourth Division in season 1983-84. They had a good home record of 13 wins and four draws, but the away form was poor, with only four wins and four draws from 23 away trips. During the summer of 1984, manager Cyril Knowles, starting his second season in charge, had rebuilt the squad on a tight budget. One of his biggest problems was replacing popular striker and record goalscorer Alan Walsh, who had gone to Bristol City for a paltry £18,000 fee set by a tribunal – only half of which was payable immediately -- so he bought unknown Carl Airey from Second Division Barnsley for £6,000.

Knowles said; “Carl is an old fashioned centre forward, and once he gets to know a few people around him, we’ll see how good he really is.” Airey said; “I don’t mind dropping down two divisions as first team football is much better than turning out for the reserves.”

Another summer signing was forward Mick Miller from Doncaster, and Dave Hawker had returned to the club after playing for Bishop Auckland, but Knowles still had a wafer thin squad, which wasn’t helped by an injury to Mitch Cook in a pre season training session. Micky Angus was already injured, so in order to boost the numbers, Knowles signed rookie keeper Kevin Wolfe and former Middlesbrough midfielder Gary Bell from South Bank.

Knowles said before the season kicked off; “If we have a full squad available I would fancy us for promotion this season, but when you are working with just nine pros and four non-contract players, it hits you hard when you have injuries.” Not many believed Cyril when he mentioned promotion, that thought was reflected in the early attendances.

The Quakers’ squad was stretched to the limit for the opening game on August 25^th, and keeper Fred Barber had to play against Bury even though he had a shoulder injury. So in the light of all the problems, a 1-1 draw was a pretty good result.

Two new signings combined to score for Quakers, Mark Miller opened the scoring for Quakers just before half time from a Carl Airey assist. Airey was denied a goal on two occasions, first by a defender on the line, and then the post. Bury equalised a minute from time in front of a crowd of 1,441.

Roger Brown wrote in the Northern Echo; “Cyril Knowles admitted that he had expected Quakers to take a hammering. He was miserable about dropping two points in a game Quakers could have won by two or three clear goals, but was happy with a performance to please the crowd.”

Another home game followed the following Tuesday against Third Division Rotherham in the Milk Cup, and a slightly larger crowd of 1,622 saw the visitors win 2-1.

Tony Simmons put Rotherham in front after only 70 seconds, but Dave Hawker finished off a four man move for the equaliser on 28 minutes. Again Quakers conceded a late goal, this time Mick Gooding scored in the last minute. Former England centre half Jack Charlton, then manager of Newcastle United, was in the crowd.

Quakers were scheduled to play at Southend on September 1^st, but the game was postponed because seven Darlington players had a stomach bug, and they didn’t have enough players registered to field a team bearing the other injuries in mind. Cyril Knowles said; “A couple of the players came to the ground looking white-faced and there was no way I was going to send them training.” Quakers called in a doctor, who in turn contacted the Football League to confirm the ravages of the virus.

Quakers returned to action for the second leg of the Milk Cup at Rotherham, and still not at their physical best, went down 4-0. Defender Phil Lloyd was dismissed for two bookings in the space of three minutes. Manager Cyril Knowles also had several players missing because of injury, and he said; “It’s getting to the stage where I’m afraid to train.”

The start to the season was therefore less than inspiring for the fans, and only 1,110 turned up for the home game against Northampton on September 8th, when Quakers only had twelve fit players. The absent fans missed a real treat, as Quakers won 4-0, the outstanding Carl Airey scoring his first goals for the club.

“Airey proves gem of a find,” was the Despatch headline. “The Quakers boss realises he may have to fight to hang on to his teenage discovery Carl Airey,” wrote Steve Butterworth.

Cyril Knowles said; “If he keeps on playing like that, he may not be here by Christmas. He’s done very, very well. I think he’ll go to the top.”

Airey scored the first in the opening minutes from a Kevin Todd pass, then part timer John Hannah – he was also a Yorkshire miner on strike – scored the second from a corner. Dave McLean scored the third from the penalty spot after Mark Miller was fouled, and Airey got the fourth after Dave Hawker’s effort hit the post. “A bad Northampton side was made to look worse,” wrote Roger Brown in the Northern Echo.

Dave Hawker was on trial at right back and was hoping for a full time contract in his second spell at the club.

Quakers played their first away league game of the season on September 10^th at Southend -- the game that had been postponed ten days earlier -- and came back from Roots Hall with a 1-1 draw. The Despatch said; “Darlington were at their battling best for a valuable point.”

It was an even better point considering that they’d gone a goal down from the penalty spot on 4 minutes, and then Dave Hawker was sent off just before half time for supposedly throwing a punch at an opponent. Kevin Todd scored with a header after full back Peter Johnson had beaten two men and crossed from the left. Kevan Smith and Phil Lloyd did well and made sure that keeper Fred Barber wasn’t troubled with one direct shot.

Cyril Knowles was delighted; “It was a tremendous performance considering we were so cruelly down to ten men for more than half the match. We have been riddled by injuries since the season began but the lads have battled magnificently. They never let their heads drop and this was the latest example of their spirit and courage.” That character would stand out as the season progressed.

Five days later on September 15^th they were at Blackpool, one of the fancied teams to win promotion, and drew 0-0. They could have won it, but Carl Airey was unlucky on three occasions. Roger Brown wrote in the Northern Echo; “Darlington’s tribute to the liveliest League side this season was to play it tight and look for the breaks. The home fans did not appreciate the tribute, and let the day’s back pass specialist, John Craggs, know it.” (This was when goalkeepers were allowed to pick up back passes).

Steve Butterworth wrote in the Despatch; “Boring, boring Darlington was one of the more polite taunts hurled at Cyril Knowles’ men. But no one in the Quaker camp was the least bit bothered. They can save the pretty stuff for Feethams.” They nearly won it though, as Carl Airey had a header cleared off the line.

Cyril Knowles said; “Teams are going to come here and expect to be under pressure, so when you come away with a point, you know you’ve done well.” Knowles gave 18 year old Graeme Aldred, released by Newcastle, his debut.

After the game, Knowles signed his former Tottenham team mate, full back Willie Young on a non contract basis. Young had previously played for Aberdeen, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Norwich, as well as five times for the Scotland Under 23 team. Knowles also brought in midfielder Steve Tupling.

Quakers collected their third successive away draw by travelling the long distance to Torquay for a midweek game on September 18th, and drew 1-1, giving them four draws and a win from their first five league games. Carl Airey scored with a glancing header from a Dave McLean corner, Quakers’ 14^th of the game, three minutes from the end.

The Despatch said; “Allan Walsh was the darling of the Feethams faithful for five seasons and Carl Airey has taken over that mantle.”

Cyril Knowles said of Willie Young’s debut; “I thought he did very well. I thought he had a very professional attitude and showed a lot of pride. He was on a hiding to nothing.” Darlo were in eighth place in the table, which was topped by Bury.

Watch out for the next part tomorrow!